The Chattanooga Bach Choir invites friends and supporters to indulge their celebratory instincts at their Annual Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala, “Bacchus Bash,” taking place on Saturday evening March 2, at the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club, 1511 Riverview Road.
Reservations are required and can be made through Feb. 23. Tables of 10 are available for $1,250. Individual reservations are $125. For reservations, e-mail: chattanoogabachchoir@gmail.com or call 902-9191. Tickets may also be purchased at the choir’s website, www.chattanoogabachchoir.org.
According to Gala Chair, Merilee Milburn, “The Chattanooga Bach Choir’s Annual Mardi Gras Gala is an evening of fun and revelry to support the Bach Choir’s outstanding music presentations throughout the year. This year’s Mardi Gras Royal Couple, King Curt Hodge and Queen Hilda Gilkeson Jones, will lead the evening’s festivities wearing unique fantastic masks from Flowers by Gil & Curt. We encourage guests to wear their most sparkly and festive finery and create a unique mask to wear for added fun. In addition to a delicious dinner provided by the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club and dancing to fabulous music by The Nancy Westmoreland Group, our revelers will bid on an exciting array of silent auction items. People have always enjoyed this festive evening of pre-Lenten indulgence.”
The Gala kicks off at 6 p.m. with a pre-party cocktail reception. Master of Ceremonies Jerry Draper will call the festivities to order at 7 p.m., leading revelers in an exuberant parade around the dining area. Later in the evening, guests will compete for the title of “Best Mask,” dance to the music of The Nancy Westmoreland Group, and browse the temptations offered in the silent auction, bidding on time shares, jewelry, art works, tickets to upcoming events, and gift certificates.
Established in 1985 by conductor James Greasby, the Chattanooga Bach Choir focuses on performing the choral works of Johann Sebastian Bach, in addition to choral orchestral masterworks of all periods. David Long was appointed artistic director and conductor o the Chattanooga Bach Choir in 2005. During his tenure, he has expanded the programs and
repertoire to include a yearly series featuring Bach cantatas and performances of a wide range of music from the past to the present. Over its three decades-long history, the Bach Choir has performed the works of more than 60 composers from the Renaissance to the present, including Josquin, Telemann, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Fauré, Duruflé, Lauridsen, and Gjeilo.